Fiesta Especial has crowds eager to hit the streets

The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas and other entries proceed in front of Windcrest City Hall in the Fiesta Especial parade on Saturday.

The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas and other entries proceed in front of Windcrest City Hall in the Fiesta Especial parade on Saturday.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

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The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas and other entries proceed in front of Windcrest City Hall in the Fiesta Especial parade on Saturday.

The Down Syndrome Association of South Texas and other entries proceed in front of Windcrest City Hall in the Fiesta Especial parade on Saturday.

Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

Fiesta Especial has crowds eager to hit the streets

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Seaylee Ferencak has been a princess for many years, so named by one of her best friends and classmates, Raj “Junior” Mulwani.

“Ever since she was little, she’s always worn a crown,” said Kristal Kelley, Seaylee’s mother. “And with Junior, they’ve been in school together since they were teeny tiny, and he’s always referred to her as ‘Princess Seaylee.’ And with his name being Raj, or ‘prince,’ this was just meant to be.”

The 14-year-old Ferencak was one of 16 students and adults who participated as royalty Saturday, when the eighth annual Fiesta Especial took to the streets of Windcrest. Mulwani participated as the 2019 Fiesta Especial Prince.

A 5K run and 1K walk preceded a 50-entry parade, which wrapped around a Windcrest City Hall parking lot brimming with games, event tables, food offerings and sponsor booths available for all to enjoy.

Fiesta Especial is an official Fiesta-recognized event created for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental differences and the family and friends who care for them.

Ferencak has autism and a rare seizure disorder, Kelley said, so finding events like Fiesta Especial represents a chance for everyone to celebrate abilities and disabilities, together.

“It’s kind of hard to find things for kids to do,” Kelley said. “When we were given this opportunity, and knowing we could raise money for Special Reach, which gives children and parents a ‘night out’ — it’s just been a lot of fun, and she’s made a lot of friends.”

Interaction is key to opening events and opportunities to people with disabilities, said Melanie Cawthon, executive director and co-founder of disABILITYsa, a San Antonio nonprofit that provides programs, resources and volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities. The organization helps organize Fiesta Especial.

“It’s just an absolutely beautiful day and a bunch of beautiful people are here today,” she said. “We had record-breaking participation in the parade and we had record-breaking numbers in the 5K as well.”

Not only did the parade and run turnout set records, but the Fiesta Especial court featured the largest royalty court to date and its members raised a record amount for charities and disABILITYsa.

The 16 members of the Fiesta court raised $86,000 for organization that will benefit from their campaign.

Windcrest Mayor Dan Reese, city organizations, area businesses, baseball teams and the Roosevelt High School band drumline walked and drove the parade route.

“We work to educate and advance individuals with disabilities in our community by connecting them to the resources and making sure they have the opportunity to engage the community,” Cawthon said. “It’s extremely important to make sure that we are including people with all types of disabilities.”

Kevin Barron is the father of 21-year-old Emma Barron, who was participating in the Fiesta court for the first time.

“Emma is a duchess in the court. This is her first time doing anything like this,” her father said. “She’s usually pretty introverted … so getting her out to do this has really broadened her ability to meet people, interact and to have fun.”

Fiesta Especial allows the students to learn leadership and fundraising skills that they can use in volunteering later and in transitioning into adulthood.

“She’s been looking forward to it. They have to participate in a minimum of 14 different events during the course of Fiesta,” Mr. Barron said. “They’ve been to hospitals. They’ve been to schools. They’ve been all over to meet people and to advocate and show that people with disabilities can pretty much do anything.”

Reese said Windcrest looks forward to hosting the annual event.

“Fiesta Especial is just a wonderful group of people that are glad to see us. They all have medals and they are raising money for charities,” he said. “It’s just a wonderful group, and we’re proud to be able to be a part of that and host the event.”